15 Things You Don't Know About ADHD In Women
Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls often face a wide range of challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms impact their daily lives. They may feel inadequate at work, experience difficulties in social relationships, or suffer from anxiety and depression.
They are also more adept at building coping mechanisms that conceal their ADHD symptoms, making it difficult for them to get diagnosed and treated.
Signs and symptoms
Although research has proven that ADHD affects both men and boys more frequently than women and girls, the gender gap narrows as people age. This is why it's vital that those suffering from ADHD symptoms not feel forgotten or abandoned when they reach adulthood.
As girls and women mature into adulthood, they continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing finances as well as keeping their homes tidy or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their mental health and self-esteem over time, as they may blame themselves for their problems.
ADHD is a chronic disorder unlike other psychiatric disorders. Girls and women are more likely to hide their symptoms by using strategies to cope, but they often fail to work. In addition, hormone changes throughout the menstrual cycle, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms usually are characterized by being forgetful or numb and losing the track of time, having trouble paying attention during classes or at work and difficulty with daily routines like laundry, meal planning or scheduling. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It's important for healthcare providers to be aware of the different ways girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD and to think about whether comorbid depression or anxiety is the cause of their struggles.
It's also crucial that people who suffer from ADHD be assessed by a physician or other qualified healthcare provider who can examine their symptoms and medical background to rule out other conditions. For instance, some individuals with ADHD have additional mental health issues like depression or anxiety, low self-esteem and trouble with social relationships and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to experience physical health issues like tics or chronic stress.
Many girls and women with ADHD don't receive a diagnosis because they aren't taken seriously by family members, teachers or friends. They may not think their symptoms are serious enough to need help. Or, they might think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or low self-esteem. In some cases, girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only after their children are treated for ADHD or they don't receive a diagnosis until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing significant difficulty with day-to-day living activities.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. They can also be faced with challenges if discovered. For one thing, girls may not have the same hyperactive/impulsive symptoms as boys -- and this can make them less likely to be recognised by teachers and parents, who are more accustomed to seeing those signs in male children. Girls develop coping strategies that disguise their symptoms, allowing them to be less noticed. This means that their problems with organization, concentration and impulsivity can be ignored for a long time.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. Highly recommended Site makes it difficult to identify the signs. They may also suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, including depression and anxiety. For instance, they might have trouble controlling their moods, which can be caused by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause.
Many of these conditions may cause low self-esteem or relationships problems. It can be difficult for these people to openly discuss their issues and ask for assistance. This could delay diagnosis and treatment.
It's also common for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and engaging with others. They might miss social events, not show up for appointments, and have trouble understanding body language. They may also be prone to going off on tangents while talking, making it more difficult for others to keep up.
It is crucial to receive a proper diagnose and act as swiftly as you can. This could be a "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them understand their struggles and help them accept themselves more. It can also aid women to recognize their strengths and adopt steps to improve their life management skills. This could have a positive impact on their family, work and personal lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
As women and girls develop into adults untreated ADHD can have a devastating effect on their professional and personal lives. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance. They can result in feelings of anxiety and frustration. They may also make it more difficult to manage the demands of adult life including managing finances, keeping a home organized and maintaining healthy relationships.
Women and girls are less likely to receive a diagnosis of ADHD than boys and men, partly because hyperactive/impulsive symptoms tend to be more commonly associated with males. This can result in gender stereotypes about the disorder. Women and girls might also try to hide or suppress their symptoms to avoid being judged by the society.
There are, thankfully, effective treatment options available for ADHD both in girls and women. Medications control brain activity and control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. The first option is stimulant medications, however nonstimulants may also be effective for some people. Your doctor may suggest a combination treatment to treat related conditions such as anxiety or depressive disorders.
In addition to medications lifestyle changes can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters which boost concentration and focus, and also reduce stress and anxiety. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports, are particularly helpful.
Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people recognize and alter negative thoughts that contribute to ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can help improve communication and resolve conflicts in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender assigned at birth (AFAB) rather than a person's affirmed gender identity. This is to ensure more consistent and clear terminology across our content and to avoid confusion for our readers. However, this article also applies to males assigned at birth (AMAB) and also to transgender and nonbinary people. Highly recommended Site acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all readers to our content.
Support
Females and those who are assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or receive a false diagnosis than men. That's because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms, making them more difficult for doctors to spot. There are also signs that aren't apparent to others, such as inattention or disorganization rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.
This is particularly important for women, who often develop coping mechanisms that make them feel comfortable and conform to social norms. These coping mechanisms may include healthy actions like setting reminders for phone calls or keeping a daily schedule. They can also be harmful such as binge-eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD may feel anxious over, depressed, or overwhelmed and suffer from relationship issues and chronic stress.
The difficulties that women and girls who suffer from ADHD face can contribute to feelings of self-esteem loss and depression, anxiety, or somatic complaints like abdominal pain or headaches. These feelings can result in avoidance of school or work, as well as social activities. They could also become more dependent on their parents for assistance with their daily tasks. This could lead to a cycle of dependence and reliance that is hard to break.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with non-consensual companions during adolescence. This could be due impulsivity, poor planning, or a failure to utilize contraception. They are more likely to be pulled into sexually inappropriate activities and may be at a higher risk of being victims of domestic violence and abuse.
As adults, women suffering from ADHD typically benefit from coping strategies and medications to manage their symptoms. They can also receive therapy on their own or in a group. This will help them to identify their struggles and create more positive internal conversations. It can help them improve their relationships.
Support services may also include coaching to teach parenting skills, as well as specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or parenting. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD maintain their jobs, manage their responsibilities at home and care for their children.